Understanding Alzheimer disease
Alzheimer disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with an uncertain pathogenesis. It is characterised by symptoms of memory impairment, executive dysfunction and visuospatial impairment. Management goals and interventions should be based on a solid alliance with the patient and family and on th...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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AOSIS
2019-04-01
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| Series: | South African Family Practice |
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| Online Access: | https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/4999 |
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| author | M. Vally F. Kathrada |
| author_facet | M. Vally F. Kathrada |
| author_sort | M. Vally |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Alzheimer disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with an uncertain pathogenesis. It is characterised by symptoms of memory impairment, executive dysfunction and visuospatial impairment. Management goals and interventions should be based on a solid alliance with the patient and family and on thorough psychiatric, neurological and general medical evaluations of the nature and cause of cognitive deficits and associated non-cognitive symptoms. There are currently three cholinesterase inhibitors and one N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist indicated in the treatment of AD as monotherapy or in combination. Cholinesterase inhibitors remain the first-line therapy in patients with mild to moderate AD, which may stabilise the symptomatic cognitive and functional decline. Other pharmacotherapy options include the use of memantine which may be used by itself or in combination with cholinesterase inhibitors. These treatments are for symptomatic relief and are not disease modifying in preventing the progression of the disease. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-dd7b43d16af045fbbf9f3ca5081ef830 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2078-6190 2078-6204 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2019-04-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Family Practice |
| spelling | doaj-art-dd7b43d16af045fbbf9f3ca5081ef8302025-08-20T04:03:13ZengAOSISSouth African Family Practice2078-61902078-62042019-04-01612283410.4102/safp.v61i2.49993975Understanding Alzheimer diseaseM. Vally0F. Kathrada1University of the WitwatersrandUniversity of the WitwatersrandAlzheimer disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with an uncertain pathogenesis. It is characterised by symptoms of memory impairment, executive dysfunction and visuospatial impairment. Management goals and interventions should be based on a solid alliance with the patient and family and on thorough psychiatric, neurological and general medical evaluations of the nature and cause of cognitive deficits and associated non-cognitive symptoms. There are currently three cholinesterase inhibitors and one N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist indicated in the treatment of AD as monotherapy or in combination. Cholinesterase inhibitors remain the first-line therapy in patients with mild to moderate AD, which may stabilise the symptomatic cognitive and functional decline. Other pharmacotherapy options include the use of memantine which may be used by itself or in combination with cholinesterase inhibitors. These treatments are for symptomatic relief and are not disease modifying in preventing the progression of the disease.https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/4999dementiaalzheimer diseasetreatment of dementiarisk factorsmanagement of alzheimer disease |
| spellingShingle | M. Vally F. Kathrada Understanding Alzheimer disease South African Family Practice dementia alzheimer disease treatment of dementia risk factors management of alzheimer disease |
| title | Understanding Alzheimer disease |
| title_full | Understanding Alzheimer disease |
| title_fullStr | Understanding Alzheimer disease |
| title_full_unstemmed | Understanding Alzheimer disease |
| title_short | Understanding Alzheimer disease |
| title_sort | understanding alzheimer disease |
| topic | dementia alzheimer disease treatment of dementia risk factors management of alzheimer disease |
| url | https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/4999 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mvally understandingalzheimerdisease AT fkathrada understandingalzheimerdisease |